by Eric Fies, Leave No Trace Master Educator
My parents recently returned from visiting family in the beautiful American Southwest. While in Red River, New Mexico, they witnessed outdoor ethics in action with my Uncle Vic, a former Boy Scout and attendee of the Philmont Scout Ranch. Vic embodies Leave No Trace and embraces the practice of leaving a natural space better than you find it so others may enjoy their outdoor experiences. These ethics were taught to him by his father, reinforced through his years of scouting, and conveyed to others by his steadfast example. So what can you do to spread the word and develop outdoor ethics in all you meet?
Developing your own knowledge is a great place to start! Need an introduction or a quick refresher in Leave No Trace? The Center for Outdoor Ethics has you covered. Visit https://lnt.org/learn/online-awareness-course to take the free Online Awareness Course or to find courses delivered by Leave No Trace Trainers and Master Educators across the country and the world.
Take that knowledge and teach another. Set the example for others to follow every time you visit nature, and open others’ eyes to ways they can minimize impact and conduct themselves ethically. If you are so inclined, join our ranks and become a Leave No Trace Trainer or Master Educator so you can provide awareness workshops and build the cadre of Trainers. Find out more at https://lnt.org/learn/training-structure.
There are many out there who claim to practice Leave No Trace and proclaim their mastery of backcountry ethics to anyone that will listen. While they may indeed do their best to minimize impact, the holistic knowledge of the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace is lacking. Some good practices may be better than none, but unfortunately bad habits may be passed on to the inexperienced who witness them. Know and do what is right as if the world were watching you.
Just as someone close to you shared their ethics, morals, and values to positively develop your perception and behavior, so should you. Demonstrate your love of nature and display your commitment to environmental stewardship by teaching the 7 Principles to your family, friends, and coworkers, along with anyone you meet along the trail or in camp. Simple displays of backcountry skill and brief conversations develop interest and tempt curiosity, so never miss a learning opportunity or moment of sharing. In these ways we can perpetuate the ethical use of natural spaces and preserve the wilderness for generations to come.
My Uncle Vic lives by a code he learned decades ago. You may recognize people like him while out in the wilderness—people searching for the debris of past visitors, packing out trash, tirelessly sterilizing an area of any signs of human passage, and thanklessly ensuring that nature remains pristine for the next intrepid explorers, with the spirit of Leave No Trace inspiring every action. If you appreciate nature as we do, take up the cause, learn the way, teach another, and always explore responsibly!
Learn more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eric.fies.7 and visit www.explorenorthstar.com.
Note: The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Any copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.